NOTHING LEFT BEHIND EXCEPT CLEANER FUEL.
At West Coast Reduction, nothing is important to us. Because when there’s nothing left – that’s when we’ve done our job. We collect food waste and by-products from food producers, like farms, restaurants and even supermarkets, transforming them into ingredients used in animal feed, renewable energy, and thousands of other products we use every day. Our efforts contribute to a sustainable local food supply, and help us all live in cleaner and healthier communities.
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A MESSAGE FROM AL HUMBER, BCSEA CHAIR
The focus of the BCSEA has always been, and will continue to be, sustainable energy in the context of British Columbia. However, from time to time it is often valuable to review what’s happening elsewhere in the world to find perspective.
On a global scale, access to energy is directly related to a country’s development, both economically and socially. It has direct implication to concepts as diverse as economic growth, human development, health care, education, poverty reduction, gender equality and sustainable development in developing countries. Conversely, lack of access to energy has been directly linked to hindered economic growth, health crises, educational disparities and increased levels of poverty.
There are about 685 million people, mostly concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia that lived daily without access to electricity of any sort. That number is being reduced every year, but with global population growth there is still a long way to go, and it means that energy demand will continue to rise.
According to António Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, the world is on the brink of a breakthrough in the climate fight. Mr. Guterres has been quoted saying the “sun is rising on a clean energy age”. At the same time, the World Bank through its Lighting Global program has invested over $5 billion and provided basic electrical access to different regions in over 35 developing countries.
According to a report from the International Renewable Energy Agency 9 out of 10 renewable power projects are now cheaper than the fossil fuel alternatives. Solar power now is 41 per cent cheaper and wind power is 53 per cent cheaper globally, than the lowest-cost fossil fuel. This is the result of widespread adoption of sustainable energy sources, a global focus on new technology development and investment in the renewable energy sector that last year reached nearly $3 trillion, almost double the investment in traditional fossil fuels. That same report stated at last year 92.5 per cent of all new electricity capacity added to the grid worldwide came from renewable sources.
The necessity to create new sources of sustainable energy is not a local, provincial or even federal issue. It is an ethical question being played out on a global scale. It is our moral imperative to look beyond our borders and assist in the development of clean sustainable energy for developing nations. By doing so the benefits we see will be exponential.
Globally, federally and provincially, the tide has turned. It seems we have reached the tipping point, where economics will begin to dictate the ultimate reduction in consumption of fossil fuels. We’ve come a long way, and we still have a long road ahead. But we will get there.
BCSEA MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES
The British Columbia Sustainable Energy Association (BCSEA) is a network of action takers supporting sustainable energy policy, innovation, and education in British Columbia.
Whether an individual member or a business member, BCSEA offers a compelling value proposition.
Advocacy and influence
BCSEA is an effective and respected advocate on B.C.’s energy scene, thanks to the significant support and activity of its members, donors, and volunteers.
In the advocacy arena, BCSEA works closely with regulators and utilities to promote sustainable policies. See our Policy Corner for the latest.
We also encourage the next generation of sustainability heroes through our The Cool It! climate
leadership training program and an extensive array of resources to learn and real world ideas. This initiative empowers British Columbians of all ages to learn more about climate change and explore new actions they can take at school, home, and in their local communities.
Knowledge, networking and collaboration
Membership provides access to a network of like-minded businesses, professionals, and experts in the clean energy industry.
Whether connecting through live or virtual events, collaborating with other members can lead to valuable partnerships, knowledge sharing, and business development opportunities.
Our “members only” archive of past webinars can also be an invaluable resource of knowledge and emerging issues.
At the community level are numerous BCSEA chapters active in Vancouver, Victoria, Prince George, and the Okanagan. These chapters undertake a variety of activities such as attendance at trade shows and community events, participation in the monthly newsletter, and host networking events.
See our Events page for opportunities to learn and network and our “For Members” portal for members only access.
Environmental and social impact
By supporting BCSEA, members contribute to environmental stewardship, community health, and economic resilience by promoting the production and use of sustainable energy. BCSEA’s advocacy at the BCUC (Policy Corner) and the Cool It! education programs create positive impacts at both the local and provincial levels.
"We have been a long-time supporter of BCSEA because we are aligned with its significant policy and advocacy efforts. The association has increased its online presence and communication through our website and social media, including the recent member spotlight. This allowed us the opportunity for cross-promotion and reaching audiences that have been traditionally unfamiliar with us. We have also received referrals through the BCSEA network which we always appreciate. The BCSEA advocacy results in changes to the government policies and BC Hydro programs that provide support for addressing climate change and economic development. We are proud to be and intend to continue to support the association for this reason."
Yuho
Okada President, Barkley Project Group Ltd.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The BCSEA Board of Directors is an all-volunteer working board, and its members work hard to fulfill the mission of our organization. We thank all board members, past and present, for their dedication to the BC Sustainable Energy Association and our vision of a sustainable energy future in the province.
Al Humber Chair
Brian Douglas Vice Chair
Diana Sollner Treasurer
Tracy Tilscher Director
Joshua Mann Director
Paul Tiefensee Director
Sean Palfenier Director
Eric Smiley Director
Jared Girman Director
David Kassian Director
Neil Andrews Director
Jonathan Garcia Director
THE BCSEA TEAM
Fergus Kinnaird Cool It! Program Director and Elementary School Program Manager
Fergus has a background in environmental economics, climate change campaigning, and community organizing. Originally from Melbourne, Australia – Fergus moved to Vancouver in 2020 to get closer to snowy mountains and B.C.’s beautiful wilderness while continuing a career in environmental advocacy. Before moving to Canada, Fergus worked as an environmental economist and campaigner at the Australian Conservation Foundation, Australia’s national environmental organization. In 2018, Fergus co-founded a not-for-profit community organization called Shift Australia that builds the skills, confidence, and capacity of young Australians to engage in democratic and civic processes. Fergus is passionate about helping others find their voice and gain the confidence to get active on issues that matter to them.
Cyndi Jarvis Manager Provincial Operations
C yndi, originally from Calgary settled in British Columbia several years ago. She has many years of experience working in the non-profit sector, both in Administrative and Human Resource positions. Cyndi joined the BCSEA in 2018 as Manager, Provincial Administration and enjoys working closely with her Board Members, colleagues, volunteers, and members as they work to achieve a 100 per cent sustainably powered B.C.
COOL IT! 15 years of climate education
By Fergus Kinnaird, Cool It! Program Director
BCSEA has been delivering environmental education to B.C. students for more than 15 years. Previously as the Climate Showdown, and for the last 10 years, the Cool It! Climate Leadership Training Program, BCSEA has worked with more than 80,000 students across the province through our environmental education initiatives.
Over the past 15 years, climate change education has undergone significant transformation. Globally, in B.C., and in our own programs, it has evolved from a niche topic confined to science classrooms to a multidisciplinary issuing touching subjects throughout the school curriculum. In prior decades, climate change education was primarily focused on the scientific mechanisms behind global warming. While this foundation was, and continues
to be, essential to student’s understanding of the issue, it’s narrow focus could lack urgency, fail to connect with students’ lived experiences or properly recognize climate change’s economic and social intersections.
As a team, we have evolved Cool It! over the years to become more intersectional, dynamic, and action oriented. A major shift has been the recognition of climate change as not only a scientific issue but also a social, economic, and ethical one. This has led to the incorporation of climate-related themes across various subjects—from economics and history to literature and civics. Educators now emphasize climate justice, highlighting how marginalized communities are disproportionately affected and encouraging students to consider equity in climate solutions.
We have also sought to center the lived experiences of the students participating in our programs. Our materials are tailored to the regions in which they are delivered, connecting students with local actions, organizations and initiatives that they can participate in. Our educating team is intentionally recruited from the communities we work with. Many of them are former, or current, members of youth-led climate organizations and movements able to convey their real-world experience with the students they are teaching. With this focus, we have achieved a more participatory approach to our education style, where students are not passive recipients of information but active agents of change.
As the visible impacts of climate change have intensified in recent years, so too has its emotional toll on young people. Students today are increasingly experiencing climate grief—a deep sense of loss, fear, and helplessness in response to environmental destruction and an uncertain future. While climate education has historically focused on science, solutions, and activism, it has overlooked the psychological impacts of confronting the climate crisis. This omission can leave students feeling overwhelmed and isolated, undermining their capacity to engage meaningfully with the issue.
In recent years we have made it an intentional focus of our materials to recognize, name and confront the climate grief of our participants. We believe this is essential for fostering emotional resilience alongside knowledge. Our educators create safe spaces where students can express their feelings, ask difficult questions, and process their emotions without judgment. Integrating emotional literacy into climate curriculum can help normalize grief, anxiety, and even anger, transforming these emotions into sources of motivation rather than paralysis.
Moreover, addressing climate grief validates students' experiences and strengthens their connection to collective action. When young people see that their concerns are taken seriously, they are more likely to feel empowered rather than defeated. Ultimately, climate education that acknowledges grief is not about offering false hope—it’s about supporting students as they navigate reality and helping them channel their emotions
into meaningful, sustainable engagement with the world.
Despite progress, challenges remain. Climate education still varies widely across regions, and political resistance can hinder its integration. However, the past 15 years have clearly shown a growing recognition of education as a powerful tool for climate action. Now more than ever, we believe Cool It! is making a tangible impact on the journeys of B.C. students. This is demonstrated by the program’s continued growth throughout the province year on year.
As a team we look forward to many more years of growing our program across B.C. and working with many more inspiring teachers and students. If you are a teacher or know a teacher who would be interest in working with us please reach out to cool-it@bcsea.org.
BCSEA METRO VANCOUVER CHAPTER
The Vancouver Chapter of BCSEA is involved in public engagement and advocating for a more sustainable energy landscape for the province. One of the key visions within the Vancouver chapter is to engage with the public and present educational tools and awareness of how the energy industry impacts their daily lives and vice-versa.
This year has seen the chapter go through significant changes with respect to leadership and looking forward. The chapter has spent much of the year onboarding new Steering Committee members and supporting the provincial board. It’s been a wonderful period of learning and growth for everyone in the leadership roles.
Most importantly, the Vancouver chapter is excited to announce our Steering Committee membership now has a second co-chair and new member. The team is eager to connect with the regional volunteers, the sector, and the public. The committee is still looking for someone to take on the role of Treasurer on the Steering Committee. If you have interest and experience, please reach out!
This year the BCSEA will be attending Everything Electric and hosting WiSE and Energy Connections, with the support of the Vancouver chapter volunteers.
• Everything Electric: (https://ca.everythingelectric.show/) September 5-7, 2025
• WiSE: (Women in Sustainable Energy) (https://bcsea.org/ wise-2025/) October 17, 2025
• Energy Connections: (https://bcsea.org/energyconnections-2025/) October 23, 2025
One of the main responsibilities of the Metro Vancouver chapter is amplifying the current events of our changing energy landscape and aiding in the transparent transfer of information regarding sustainable energy to the public.
There is consistently a high level of enthusiasm from participants that want to engage within our chapter. This brings optimism for B.C.’s energy landscape, and a positive outlook for the growth of sustainable energy in the future.
In the coming year, the Vancouver chapter hopes to host smaller-scale public forums to strengthen our networks and bring the sustainable discussion to all in an accessible manner. The Vancouver chapter is composed of dedicated and industrious members, who are making a difference and enjoying the opportunity to work with and represent the BCSEA in its over 20 years, and who look forward to many more to come.
Find more information about our Vancouver chapter at bcsea.org/vancouver-chapter. If you are interested in becoming a member and volunteering on our Steering Committee or at events, contact us.
BCSEA OKANAGAN CHAPTER
Interested in advancing renewable energy in your community? The Okanagan chapter is actively seeking volunteers.
Join and help us support sustainable energy policy, innovation and education in British Columbia. For more information you can contact the Steering Committee at okanagan@bcsea.org.
In an era where climate change and energy sustainability are at the forefront of global concerns, the BCSEA Okanagan chapter is driven to become a key climate action organization in the Okanagan region. The chapter is currently facing challenges and needs passionate individuals to help rejuvenate efforts in promoting renewable energy, energy reduction, and advocating for progressive energy policies.
Why BCSEA Okanagan?
The Okanagan Chapter of BCSEA is more than just an organization; it is a community of individuals committed to creating a sustainable future. Our members have historically been the driving force behind our initiatives, from educational programs and policy advocacy to community outreach and energy planning. By joining the Okanagan chapter, you can help restore its vibrancy and actively shape the energy landscape of the Okanagan region.
The power of passionate members
The success of the Okanagan chapter hinges on the dedication and enthusiasm of its members. We are calling on individuals who are passionate about renewable energy, energy conservation, and policy advocacy to join us. Your involvement can make a significant impact in several ways:
1. Advocacy and Policy Influence: Help us advocate for policies that support renewable energy and energy efficiency. Your voice can influence decisionmakers and drive legislative changes that promote a sustainable energy future.
2. Community Engagement: Participate in local events, workshops, and projects that educate and engage the community on the benefits of sustainable energy practices. Your efforts can inspire others to adopt greener lifestyles.
3. Innovation and Education: Contribute to our educational programs that aim to inform and empower the next generation of energy leaders. Share your knowledge and expertise to foster innovation in the renewable energy sector.
Why now?
The urgency of addressing climate change has never been greater. The Okanagan region, with its unique environmental challenges and opportunities, is a perfect model for transitioning to sustainable energy practices. By joining the Okanagan chapter, you can be part of the solution, helping to reduce emissions and promote sustainable energy practices across the region.
You can reach us at okanagan@bcsea.org.
BCSEA VICTORIA CHAPTER
The BCSEA Victoria chapter began in late 2004, shortly after the formation of BCSEA itself as a provincial organization. The chapter is run by its Steering Committee currently chaired by longtime Steering Committee member and former BCSEA provincial board director, Paul Rasmussen.
Our chapter is currently active with six people on our Steering Committee who meet several times a year in person. We can always use new people and new ideas. If you would like to be involved, contact us at victoria@ bcsea.org.
We are currently working on a couple of interesting pilot projects. The first project led by Steering Committee member Nathan Archibald, is working to create short informational videos about various aspects of the energy picture in B.C. Our goal is to have these videos up on the BCSEA YouTube channel. Our second project is to create
a demonstration electric bike charging station which could be powered by solar or wind. This project is led by our Steering Committee member Alan Kneisz who has recently returned to Victoria from Germany where he witnessed many kinds of sustainable power sources, some of which are not widely available yet here.
If you are interested in volunteering on either of these projects or you have an idea of your own that you would like to see taken up by the BCSEA Victoria chapter, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
We are also actively looking for opportunities to put up our informational table at events in the Greater Victoria Area. So, if you are aware of, or looking for participants in such an event please let us know about it!
To learn more, visit us at bcsea.org/victoria-chapter or contact us at victoria@bcsea.org.
BCSEA PRINCE GEORGE CHAPTER
There’s a lot of exciting momentum here in Northern B.C. as we continue to explore opportunities in sustainable energy. Our BCSEA Steering Committee has been actively working on partnerships within the mining sector, with the goal of creating a platform to introduce and formally launch the Northern BCSEA Steering Committee.
One exciting initiative in the works is a potential collaboration with the volunteer organization Mining for Beer, which hosts a popular social event during the Northern B.C. Resource Show—scheduled for January 2026. This event provides a valuable networking opportunity for stakeholders to share information about their organizations and associations. Stay tuned! This idea will be presented for consideration at the BCSEA Board of Directors Meeting in September 2025.
In the broader renewable energy landscape, BC Hydro made a significant announcement at the Spring Mining Show in Prince George. They unveiled plans to twin the transmission lines from the Williston Substation in Prince George to the Skeena Substation in Terrace. This
development holds enormous promise for job creation, resource access, and community benefits along the corridor. Importantly, Indigenous communities are actively involved in the delivery of this project—ensuring inclusive and sustainable development.
This infrastructure investment is a vital step in driving economic growth across the north while enabling the transition of remote operations, such as mines, to clean and renewable energy sources. The minerals extracted from these mines—including gold, copper, silver, molybdenum, and rare earth elements—are critical to meeting the global demand for the sustainable energy supply chain, ultimately providing solutions across both industry and everyday life in British Columbia and beyond.
These are truly exciting times for our region. As the newly formed Northern BCSEA Steering Committee, we are thrilled about the role we can play in supporting the BCSEA’s mission and advancing its goals in this dynamic and growing part of the province.
To learn more or get involved, contact us at bcsea.org/prince-george-chapter/.
BCSEA AT THE BC UTILITIES COMMISSION (AND BEYOND): AN UPDATE
By Bill Andrews and Tom Hackney
1. FortisBC Tilbury LNG Storage Expansion Project
In July 2025, BCSEA filed a written argument asking the BCUC to approve FortisBC’s proposed $1.14-billion Tilbury LNG Storage Expansion (TLSE) Project. The TLSE proposal has been under BCUC scrutiny since 2020. The project includes a large (three billion cubic feet) new LNG storage tank and a new regasification plant (to gasify LNG for reinjection into the gas distribution system). Two-thirds of the tank’s LNG storage capacity will be reserved for responding to an interruption in the wholesale gas supply from Northern B.C. The other one-third of the storage capacity would be allocated to providing gas during times of pea” load.
Importantly for BCSEA, the TLSE Project would neither increase nor decrease emissions of B.C. greenhouse gases. Rather, the Project would reduce customers’ vulnerability to an outage of the Enbridge T-South pipeline during the winter heating season, and would replace the existing end-of-life Base Plant at FEI’s site on Tilbury Island in the Fraser River.
Construction of the Project would take some seven years after BCUC approval. If and when the Project comes into service it would put upward pressure on gas delivery rates. However, BCSEA argued that the rate impact would be reasonable and would appropriately increase the ‘price signal’ of gas distribution service in comparison with lower-carbon options such as efficiency/conservation and electrification. Interestingly, the estimated rate impact of the TLSE Project was approximately the same assuming both a 60-year facility lifespan (based on engineering expectations) and a hypothetical 20-year lifespan (assuming early termination due to the clean energy transition).
The TLSE Project has been under BCUC scrutiny for almost five years. In 2022, BCSEA argued that a need for the Project had not been proven and that it is generally inappropriate to invest in fossil fuel infrastructure given the urgent need to mitigate global climate change by reducing the use of fossil fuels. By 2025, however, BCSEA recognized several key changes affecting the TLSE Project:
• It is now clear that the existing Base Plant LNG storage tank is at the end of its service life and must be replaced.
• The need for resiliency has now been established by a comprehensive gas system resiliency plan.
• The BCUC has now rejected FortisBC’s marine LNG sales initiative, which might have been aided by the TLSE Project.
• The current political events in the US mean gas imports
from the United States cannot be relied on to provide resiliency in the Lower Mainland.
A decision by the BCUC is expected by the Fall of 2025.
2. Changes to BC Hydro’s Net Metering Program
BCSEA is actively intervening in a BCUC proceeding on potential changes to BC Hydro’s net metering program. BCSEA has always supported net metering programs by BC Hydro and FortisBC and will continue to do so.
Traditional net metering does involve “cost shifting” from participants to non-participants (more on this, below). However, BCSEA has always maintained that the dollar amount of the cost-shifting is too small to be material and that the benefit of growing the number of small-scale, behind-the-meter generation facilities outweighs any minor cost-shifting.
Despite what we think are the merits of pragmatically continuing with net metering with its minor cost-shifting, BC Hydro proposes to close the existing net metering program to new participants (albeit allowing existing net metering customers to continue under the existing terms for 20 years) and to institute “net billing” for all new participants. Net billing is intended to eliminate costshifting associated with BC Hydro’s purchase of electricity ‘exported’ to BC Hydro when the participant is generating more electricity than it is using. Under net billing, BC Hydro would pay an “energy price” (proposed to be 10 cents per kilowatt hour) for electricity delivered to BC Hydro by a participant in excess of the customer’s own load.
The distinction is that under traditional net metering, when a participant delivers electricity to the grid during one billing period BC Hydro gives the participant a corresponding credit in kWhs in the next billing period. The participant’s bill is reduced by the number of kWhs in the credit times the rate the participant would pay per kWh (Step 1 or Step 2 for residential customers – the “retail rate”). Cost-shifting arises because the retail rate per kWh is higher than just the utility’s cost of one kWh of energy: It is set at a level that also recovers the utility’s cost of providing peak capacity and some customer service costs. BC Hydro does get a kWh of energy from the customer, but the credit BC Hydro gives is worth (slightly) more than BC
Hydro’s cost of a kWh of energy. Therefore, all customers (both participants and non-participants) have to pay a rate that is (very, very, very slightly) more per kWh to cover BC Hydro’s cost of providing peak capacity and customer service to net metering customers that BC Hydro doesn’t recover because the credit is worth more than the cost of energy alone. Again, BCSEA says the dollar amount of the cost-shifting is immaterial and should be ignored until far more customers are doing net metering.
The proposed 20-year grandparenting of existing net metering customers means that an existing net metering participant would stay on the existing net metering rate for 20 years since the date they connected their generation facility. Therefore, the financial impact on existing participants would seem to be minor, although large numbers of existing net metering participants have filed letters with the BCUC saying they would be hurt financially by elimination of net metering.
Net billing for new participants would eliminate costshifting only if (a) the energy price is based on the financial value of the electricity received by BC Hydro, and (b) 10 cents/kWh accurately reflects the financial value of the electricity received by BC Hydro. However, both points are contested in the proceeding.
BC Hydro proposes the energy price remain the same until a review in five years. Some interveners suggest more frequent updates. However, early changes to the energy
price would add uncertainty to financial evaluations of potential new behind-the-meter generation projects. And, early adjustments might actually reduce the energy price (if, for example, the next call for power produces a lower average price for clean energy than did the 2024 call).
In addition, BC Hydro proposes to establish a “community generation” rate with a 1 MW maximum size, net billing at the same 10 cents/kWh energy price, and complicated requirements for participation by “benefiting customers” as a form of virtual net metering.
The idea of a rate designed to foster community generation certainly sounds good. But “community generation” means quite different things to different people. For some, community generation is a way to reduce the electricity bills of an existing community facility such as a library, school or recreation centre. For others, community generation is an opportunity to benefit a community by making a profit selling clean power to BC Hydro. For others (including BC Hydro), community generation is a mechanism to enable customers to participate in net metering without having generation at their own premises.
Complex questions arise: Is the focus on community hosts that have their own electrical load, or on new standalone generation facilities? Should a rate for community generation be a vehicle for an independent power producer to sell power to BC Hydro outside of the competitive call for proposals process? Should the energy price (for electricity delivered to BC Hydro) reflect only the financial value of clean energy to BC Hydro, or should it be higher to reflect the merits of the host community or to incent additional solar generation? Should there be an expectation that the new rate will actually be utilized, or is it enough that the rate exists? Is a new rate design the best way to achieve the objective, or would an existing rate design or some other approach work better?
BCSEA will evaluate the evidence as it comes in. So far BCSEA is not convinced that BC Hydro’s virtual net metering concept would be practical or well used. BCSEA wants to see a community generation rate design that is effective in fostering new clean generation and well used.
BC Hydro’s proposals also include elements regarding measurement of the amount of energy delivered to BC Hydro, and the maximum permissible amount of energy
delivered to BC Hydro in various categories. In general, the proposed shift is to measure and limit the amount of generation that can be put onto the grid, as distinct from limiting the nameplate capacity of the generation facility. If new participants under the proposed net billing self-generation rate follow the pattern of the existing net metering participants (who have generation facilities that are well below the maximum size) then they wouldn’t be impacted by the proposed changes regarding energy measurement and limits. However, the proposals would affect larger generation facilities, such as solar facilities that are larger than could be accommodated on a customer’s rooftop.
The BCUC will hold an oral hearing followed by oral arguments in October/November or in November/ December. The dates depend on whether Hydro will file evidence in rebuttal to evidence filed by interveners.
BCSEA will participate actively, of course.
3. BCUC RNG Review
The BCUC has launched a review of its definition of renewable natural gas (RNG) and of the mechanisms to ensure that GHG emissions are properly accounted for when BC utilities acquire RNG from out-of-B.C. facilities. The review will also consider whether future acquisitions of out-of-province RNG are consistent with B.C.’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Clean Energy) Regulation (“GGRR”).
RNG is acquired by gas utilities under long-term commercial contracts and then provided to customers at their cost. RNG is biomethane, functionally equivalent to fossil natural gas. Burning RNG instead of fossil natural gas reduces GHG emissions where the biomass from which the RNG was produced would have otherwise been released as methane to the atmosphere.
Presently, the BCUC’s legal interpretation is that the GGRR requires the BCUC to approve RNG supply contracts that meet certain price and quantity limits, even if the RNG is sourced from outside of BC and delivered notionally to the utility within B.C. Further, following an inquiry in 2022 – 2023, the BCUC determined that a B.C. utility would be deemed to acquire RNG if it acquired (a) actual RNG or (b) conventional natural gas that was associated with transferrable environmental attributes of RNG.
To date, FortisBC Energy Inc. is the utility that has filed most of applications to the BCUC for the acceptance of RNG supply contracts. The BCUC checks that an RNG supply contract meets the GGRR requirements, and then accepts it without considering whether it is otherwise “in the public interest.” Most of the contracted volumes of RNG come from Alberta, Ontario and the United States. FortisBC has been reporting to the BCUC its tracking of environmental attributes of its out-of-province RNG. However, the BCUC now questions whether the tracking reliably excludes any double counting of environmental attributes.
The BCUC also cites a letter received from the environmental organization Stand.earth, which says among other things that there is no functioning interjurisdictional mechanism to ensure the environmental attributes of RNG are not double counted.
In the BCUC’s RNG Inquiry of 2022 – 2023, BCSEA supported the concept of the “notional” delivery of RNG to B.C. gas utilities on the grounds that all deliveries of natural gas are “notional,” that is, defined by contract not by specific molecules. BCSEA supported out-of-province RNG supply contracts on the basis of the GGRR and subject to robust controls to prevent double counting. BCSEA will participate fully in the current inquiry.
BCSEA supports the use of RNG to displace the use of fossil natural gas because, as stated above, RNG captures methane gas that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. BCSEA is concerned that any system for delivery of RNG to B.C. utilities must (a) reliably prevent any double counting of environmental attributes and (b) be sufficiently clear and transparent to merit public confidence.
4. Amendments to BCUC Rules of Practice and Procedure
In June 2025, BCSEA made submissions to the BCUC on proposed updates to its Rules of Practice and Procedure. Among other points, BCSEA objected to the BCUC’s proposal to restrict the definition of who can intervene to parties who are “directly or sufficiently affected” by proceedings and to eliminate intervention on the basis of having “experience, information or expertise relevant
to a matter before the BCUC that would contribute to the BCUC’s decision-making.”
An interesting sign of the times is that the BCUC also proposes that utilities and interveners (omitting the BCUC itself!) should be required to disclose their use of “Generative Artificial Intelligence” in submissions to the BCUC.
The next step is for the BCUC to finalize the amendments to its rules.
5. CleanBC Review
BCSEA’s regulatory and policy team met in June 2025 with members of the CleanBC Independent Review Panel to give input into how the B.C. government should implement its CleanBC climate action program.
The context for this is the recent 2024 Climate Change Accountability Report, which confirms that B.C. is not on track to meet its legislated 2030 GHG emissions reduction targets, and the recent assertion by B.C.’s Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, Adrian Dix, that the B.C. government remains committed to climate action.
The 2024 report concludes that with “continued hard work,” B.C.’s projected GHG emissions in 2030 will be 20 per cent below 2007 emissions, but this is only half the targeted 40 per cent reduction. Transportation is the worst sector, with emissions up by up 18 per cent from 2007 to 2022. However, emissions are down by 6 per cent for Buildings and Communities, 11 per cent for Other Industry and 11 per cent for Oil and Gas.
At the June meeting, BCSEA expressed strong support for the B.C. government to continue its climate action efforts. Based on BCSEA’s long experience at the BCUC, we recommended continuation of the respective roles and responsibilities for climate action of the government and the BCUC. In BCSEA’s view, The BCUC should remain as the economic regulator of B.C.’s utilities, and the B.C. government should continue to have the responsibility for climate action and to have the power to order the BCUC to carry out specific climate action policies.
The government has invited public comments on the CleanBC climate program, with a deadline of August 1, 2025.
NORTHERN VOICES LEAD ENERGY CONVERSATIONS
By Philip Burgess Cox
Afirst-of-its-kind effort to gain a detailed picture of the energy aspirations of small, rural, and remote communities across northern B.C. is sparking conversations that may shape the next decade of clean energy development in the province.
The community-led initiative is part of the Northern Regional Energy Dialogues (NRED)—a five-year Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) project developed with the University of Victoria, University of Northern BC, and supported by the Northern British Columbia Climate Action Network (NorthCAN).
Led by UVic researchers Tamara Krawchenko and Kara Shaw, and Sinead Earley from UNBC, the NRED team has already sat down with
communities spread across 1,100 km of northern terrain.
“Our plan is to create an open platform for community voices across this significant geographical area to share their energy needs, wants and plans—because nothing like that has ever been done before,” says Earley. “This will create a rich picture of the breadth of energy needs across the regional north.”
Bridging the divide
Although the conversations are informal and the project is humble in its design, NRED’s dialogues challenge a longstanding trend of excluding northern communities and First Nations from energy planning and policy development, which is has historically centred on southern urban centres of the province.
“We just don’t have the population up here, so we don’t have the representation in government,” Earley says. “But the north is where resource development, hydro power, critical minerals and fossil fuels are located.”
This long-standing dynamic has created deep tensions, says project co-lead Kara Shaw.
“Our project aims to counter the decades-long dynamic in BC where urban areas have dictated energy projects to rural areas but aren’t responsive to rural needs,” she says.
“There are a lot of strong ideas and desires for change in the north. We want to help find the support communities need to make those changes happen.”
At the table sat representatives from local government, trade unions,
industry, and community groups. Together they reflected upon the district’s energy infrastructure, industrial landscape, and barriers to development.
“The event reinforced a lot of things we are hearing in the other conversations. There’s an asymmetry between big industry and their energy needs versus what community members want to see,” Krawchenko says. “The group had a lot of interest in renewables that strengthen communities by supporting a more diversified and resilient economy—not just the industrial economy. They want new sources of energy that create new opportunities and reduce costs.”
Differences in common
A key component of the NRED project is to understand the unique needs of small, rural, and remote communities across the north, which are frequently distinct even from one another’s.
In many conversations, common themes emerge; small tax bases, little government representation, low staffing capacity, and poor retention.
“Some of the challenges that communities are sharing with us
are challenges they’ve been talking about for a long time but have mostly gone unheard. We’re trying to redress that through the regional dialogues by building new crosscommunity connections and finding regional solutions that address these common issues,” Earley says.
For every challenge they share, though, there’s another that is wholly unique to each community due to the complex constellations of social, political, economic, and environmental factors that defy easy classification.
“We want to deeply understand the needs of these communities so that we can champion their voices to policy makers in the capital and address issues that serve their interests,” Krawchenko says. “Community members are knowledgeable about their communities and have lots of great ideas, which is why it’s so important that we get out to meet with and listen to them.”
Living in a materials world
The reality for most northern populations is that their economic well-being is deeply entwined with the material resource extraction industries that surround them, which
are increasingly impacted by global forces.
“We’re in an age where you can’t separate climate change from political instability,” Shaw says. “Add in things like Trump’s tariffs and the already-existing economic uncertainties that were making rural communities vulnerable are just kind of on steroids now.”
For Sarah Korn, NRED’s community coordinator, helping to build northern rural community resilience is both a professional and a personal concern.
“I’ve seen firsthand energy insecurity, vulnerability to extreme and changing weather, and the need for climate and energy policy solutions that also address community needs.”
In Korn’s Cariboo community, homes
are typically heated by woodstove or propane—trucked in from 320 km away and costing up to $1,200 per refill. Deliveries can stall in freezing weather, leaving residents without heat.
“I would like to see northerners at the table designing energy solutions that bring economic and social benefits to rural and remote communities,” Korn says.
Called to action
As the NRED project advances, the researchers behind it are keenly aware that the people they’re speaking with want more than conversation.
“Having concrete outcomes from these conversations is very important to us and a key goal for our project,” Krawchenko says. “We share the takeaways with the people who participate, policymakers in the south, and our network in ACET.”
Earley emphasizes the need for community co-creation. “Many small communities have to rely on external consultants who come in, lead a renewable energy project, then leave. But if new challenges emerge, the consultants have already been paid,” she says. “This is one reason it’s important that this expertise is embedded within the community.”
Shaw says that hyper-local solutions like these, that fill in the gaps at the ground level, can make a regional impact that takes on a global significance.
“Climate change is a global problem that’s landing everywhere but differently in different places. We’re only going to solve this problem by figuring out community-scale solutions in one place and then another place and then linking those solutions together,” says Shaw. “That’s where we have to take action.”
NEW REPORTS MAP B.C.’S HYDROGEN POTENTIAL FOR CLEAN ENERGY GROWTH
A series of reports, released by Foresight Canada in partnership with the British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions’ Clean Energy and Major Projects Office (CEMPO), investigates British Columbia's potential to establish major hydrogen hubs in various regions and examines the feasibility of hydrogen transportation. In addition to outlining potential challenges, the research identifies key supply and demand opportunities across four areas: B.C.’s Lower Mainland, Northeast, Southern Interior, and Vancouver Island, highlighting their distinct competitive advantages for hydrogen development.
“We are incredibly grateful to have partnered with CEMPO on this vital research, which will pave the way for accelerated clean energy development throughout B.C.," says Alyssa Kelly, Director of Research at Foresight.
As British Columbia works toward net zero, a diverse mix of cleantech solutions and energy alternatives will be required. Hydrogen is a promising option to complement electrification. B.C. has a strong foundation of innovation and expertise to build on. The reports highlight how this established sector, combined with regional strengths, uniquely positions the province to lead in hydrogen production and adoption.
While scaling this sector presents real challenges— including the need for new regulations and infrastructure to ensure its safe transport—the opportunities for B.C.
We are excited to have Stewart McNish with Communications Live as our MC and moderator for Energy Connections 2025! Stay tuned for more news about our exciting keynote speaker at bcsea.org/energy-connections-2025.
to drive the clean energy transition through strategic hydrogen hub development are significant. “British Columbia has tremendous potential to continue to lead in hydrogen innovation and creating these reports and releasing the findings helps fuel this potential,” says Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, B.C..
Access the hydrogen hub research reports are available at foresightcac.com.
About Foresight Canada
Foresight Canada helps the world do more with less, sustainably. As Canada's largest cleantech innovation and adoption accelerator, they connect public and private sectors to the world’s best clean technologies, de-risking and simplifying the adoption of innovative solutions that improve productivity, profitability, and economic competitiveness, all while addressing today’s most urgent climate challenges.
About CEMPO
The Clean Energy and Major Projects Office (CEMPO), established by the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions in 2023, is a strategic advisor and accelerator for clean energy and major projects across B.C. CEMPO advances clean energy development in B.C. by supporting project proponents and stakeholders, building strategic partnerships, and acting as the central knowledge hub for clean energy projects such as hydrogen, carbon capture, biofuels, and renewable natural gas. It provides strategic guidance throughout the entire project lifecycle, helping accelerate projects to final investment decisions while ensuring alignment with provincial priorities.
Learn more about how Foresight Canada is supporting innovation and driving cleantech adoption through the British Net Zero Innovation Network (BCNZIN) at foresightcac.com. We are honoured to have Karla Mills of Teck Resources as our keynote speaker for WISE 2025!
Thank you to our sponsors!
BUILDING B.C.’S HYDROGEN HUB: FROM VISION TO REALITY
Provided by HTEC
Since our founding in 2004, HTEC has been committed to decarbonizing British Columbia’s transportation sector, starting right here in the Lower Mainland.
At its core, a hydrogen hub is a geographic cluster where hydrogen is produced, stored, distributed, and used across multiple applications, creating sustainable supply and demand. These hubs are critical to scaling clean hydrogen because they concentrate infrastructure, reduce costs, and build market confidence.
With B.C.’s abundant renewable energy, forward-thinking climate policies, and strong cleantech sector, the Lower Mainland is uniquely positioned to become a model hydrogen hub for North America.
To turn this potential into reality, HTEC has been working across the hydrogen value chain—integrating clean hydrogen production, expanding fueling infrastructure, and supporting real-world vehicle deployment. Together with our partners in government, both the public and private sector, and multiple other industry innovators and stakeholders, these efforts are building the foundation for a scalable, sustainable hydrogen transportation ecosystem.
Clean hydrogen supply
At the heart of this hub is local, clean hydrogen production. This fall, HTEC will open its new hydrogen production facility in Burnaby—a major milestone in expanding fuel availability across the region. The facility is the first of its kind in British Columbia, combining green hydrogen production via
electrolysis with a fully operational liquid hydrogen (LH 2) gasification system to provide supply redundancy.
Powered by renewable electricity, the facility will produce clean hydrogen and feed directly into HTEC’s growing station network in the Lower Mainland. By producing hydrogen locally, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transportation costs while improving overall supply reliability.
Expanding the station network
HTEC’s station network is growing to meet the evolving needs of hydrogen vehicle operators in B.C.
A key new site is a heavy-duty station in Tsawwassen, which will play a strategic role in two major clean transportation initiatives. The B.C. Hydrogen Truck Pilot is a first-of-itskind demonstration project that will deploy hydrogen-powered trucks with real fleet operators in Metro Vancouver. The Ports Project is a collaboration between public and private partners to decarbonize port operations in Vancouver.
Across our network, we prioritize uptime, accessibility, and safety. HTEC’s stations are designed to offer a fueling experience comparable to diesel: high uptime, fast refueling times, and the capacity to fuel trucks capable of long-distance, dieselequivalent driving ranges. This level of performance provides a sense of familiarity for operators, helping to ease the transition and support largescale, real-world deployment.
The shift to zero-emission fleets Infrastructure is essential, but
adoption ultimately depends on making hydrogen vehicles practical and accessible. That’s where VLC (Vehicle Leasing Corporation) comes in—HTEC’s leasing arm, designed to support fleet operators in their transition to transport technologies with zero tailpipe emissions.
VLC removes common adoption barriers by providing bundled access to hydrogen trucks, fueling infrastructure, driver training, maintenance services, and ongoing technical support.
For many operators, leasing through VLC is their first step into the world of hydrogen. By enabling trial and de-risking investment, VLC helps businesses experience hydrogen’s benefits in real-world conditions.
A blueprint for scalable hydrogen hubs
HTEC’s work in the Lower Mainland isn’t just about local innovation, it’s about proving what’s possible for the rest of the country.
By connecting every element of the hydrogen value chain —from production to fueling stations to vehicle deployment through VLC —we’re demonstrating a replicable model for other regions.
Our integrated approach is accelerating the shift to cleaner transportation solutions while laying the groundwork for broader, scalable adoption of clean hydrogen. Together, we’re fueling the drive to hydrogen and a low-carbon future for all Canadians.
